Catholic Family Shopping

Thanks to Dean Schneider for this review on the Cat Chat VBS program.

As more and more Catholic parishes are choosing to offer summer programs for their children, Vacation Bible School, or “VBS” remains the well-known favorite. While some parishes make do with “Catholicized” Protestant programs, many now seek to offer a more distinctly Catholic experience.

The creators of the wildly popular¹ Cat. Chat audio series (short for Catholic Chat) set out to meet the demand with a VBS; program that was fun, simple, dynamic and above all, distinctly Catholic. With “Cool Kingdom Party”, they sure have delivered!

With music, teaching and fun activities, kids learn how “Mary Leads Me Closer to Jesus” and the importance of making Jesus King of their lives. The creative, 5-day program, aimed at kids ages 4-11, is designed for groups of any size, home or parish.

Based on what testimonies I’ve heard so far, kids, parents and coordinators alike seem to love it. “This Cat. Chat VBS was very uplifting”, said Maria Baker from Holy Family Parish in Saint Albert, AB. “The kids loved the program! Parents were raving at the end of the week.”

Solid Content
This VBS may be packed with fun, but don’t let that fool you into thinking it’s soft on content. Cat. Chat’s SOLID Catholic content has earned them endorsements from of bishops, priests and Religious Ed. coordinators alike.

Each day’s theme is supported with straightforward teaching, relevant bible verses, meaningful prayer – even the SNACKS reinforce the day’s lesson! Each theme is also connected to a cardinal virtue and story of a saint or blessed.

Good Value
One of the most affordable Catholic VBS programs out there, Cat. Chat’s program comes complete with all you need for an engaging Catholic experience for kids.

In addition to all the usual leader guides and resources, this VBS kit comes with a hidden jewel – a CD-ROM that provides everything one could possibly need, from the first planning stages to closing day (professional clip-art, reproducibles, registration tracking, forms, letters and more).

“It could be used as is”, said Lisa Zickert from St. Therese Parish in San Diego, CA.”It’s clearly laid out and very user-friendly. I love the flow [and] the ideas are very creative.” It even provides high quality graphics so you can print your own professional looking posters and t-shirts.

Great Music
The heartbeat of any good VBS program is the music, and here’s where Cat. Chat REALLY shines! Their program features the dynamic, original music that Cat. Chat has become known for – catchy, upbeat praise and prayerful worship songs of a quality (both in production, music and message) that makes this VBS stand far above the crowd.

Cat. Chat’s music is becoming so popular that the ministry has had to respond with producing “30 favorites”, a music-only CD (now also included in the VBS kit) and a Cat. Chat LIVE! concert tour. Months after their programs are over; parishes are finding both kids and their parents still singing along.

For a successful summer VBS in your parish, now is the time to be choosing and planning a program. To order the Cat. Chat VBS program and their other Catholic resources for kids, call 1-866-286-5433 or visit the ministry’s website, www.catchat.ca.

Dean Schneider is a certified school teacher and music specialist with extensive experience in music and Catholic youth ministry. He is also a husband and father of two.

Notes: ¹ Lisa M. Hendey, www.CatholicMom.com

We also carry some of the Cat Chat CDs are our store; www.Catholicfamilymedia.com.